5 pm | 1 December 2020
Hi everyone,
Today is the first day of mandatory mask wearing for all people on healthcare sites. This includes all of CALHN, and as to be expected, there have been a few bumps as we get used to these new arrangements.
The requirements around mask wearing and the need to have a COVID-19 safe plan and individual QR code for each site were mandated in the Emergency Management Directive that came into effect at midnight last night.
Masks - every person, every site
The wearing of masks has been mandated through an emergency management directive.
This directive provides for consistency across the health system and reinforces the message “wear a mask to protect yourself and to protect others”.
In summary:
- Every single CALHN employee on every single site is to wear a health service supplied surgical mask when they are at work and when in the presence of other people.
- This applies to staff working in hospitals, community health services, Statewide Clinical Support Services, SA Dental and our staff working at Roma Mitchell House.
Some of you have asked about exceptions, the direction outlines that the following are grounds for exceptions.
- A patient, resident or client and / or person providing care if, in the provider or carer’s professional opinion, the wearing of a mask will hinder the provision of care.
- Any person who is affected by a relevant medical condition, including problems with their breathing, a serious condition of the face, a disability or a mental health condition.
- To enable communication by or with any person who is deaf or hard of hearing where the ability to see the mouth is essential for communication.
- A person under 12 years of age.
- A resident or live in staff member of a residential care facility including in circumstances where it is not possible to comply with the physical distancing principle.
The frequently asked questions have been put together to provide further clarity on wearing a mask, however staff are expected to use their common sense and role model appropriate behaviours.
We also ask that if one of our supporting organisations or partners (such as Spotless or ISS) ask for a mask that they are provided with one.
A public campaign managed by the Department for Health and Wellbeing will inform the community of the need to wear masks on health sites and will be supported with local signage and communications.
COVID-19 safe plan and QR codes
SA Health sites have been provided with a 72 hour window to develop their COVID-19 safe plans and to implement the required QR codes. Once in place all people entering a site will be required to scan the QR code to assist with contact tracing (should it be required).
The Incident Management Team have today been focused on understanding what is required of CALHN’s more than 230 sites and identifying a contact for each one who can assist with the development of a site specific COVID-19 safe plan. More information will be provided to these contacts on Wednesday morning.
While QR screening is already in place at the RAH with the Sine app, all staff are asked to ensure they have the MySAGOV app on their phones as this will be the app used when entering all other CALHN locations – and many businesses across the state.
CALHN COVID-19 livestream
Tomorrow at 1.45pm we will hold another COVID-19 live stream to provide you with an update on the IMT’s actions and to answer questions you may have about wearing a mask.
Speakers will include Lesley Dwyer, CEO CALHN, Kathryn Zeitz, Incident Commander, David Naughton, IMT Infectious Disease Cell lead and David Shaw, Head of Infectious Diseases.
The stream will be delivered via Zoom and you can join the live stream by clicking on the button below and entering the passcode: dHn1SV.
Webinar ID: 951 7807 4086
Passcode: 741751
Kathryn Zeitz
CALHN COVID-19 Commander